Jefferson County Commission Celebrates New State-of-the-Art Animal Care Facility

Special to the Times

On Tuesday, September 29, the Jefferson County Commission, along with its partners at the Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS), cut the ribbon on the new Jefferson County Animal Care facility. Architects from Birchfield Penuel & Associates, who designed the facility; Stone Building Company, who built the facility; and BL Harbert International, which served as program manager, also attended Tuesday’s event.

After years of planning and months of building, the Jefferson County Commission is excited to open this new, carefully designed Animal Care facility. The GBHS, which manages animal control services for the County, has long needed a larger, more modern facility to properly manage stray animals in the community.

The one-story facility, located at 1052 Sydney Drive, Birmingham, 35211, brings public services, animal housing, veterinary support, intake, administration and building operations together.

The new facility offers the following:

• A main entrance, reclaim lobby, reception, and counseling rooms
• Four secure courtyards that provide controlled outdoor access between animal-care wings
• Grooming and future treatment and triage rooms, evidence storage, euthanasia, cooler and freezer areas
• A secured “sallyport” that connects to intake, two animal control hold areas, and office and dispatch room
• Space for director and staff, a breakroom, lockers, and other team-support space
• A laundry, clean linen and linen storage area, dishwashing station, food prep area, and animal-supply rooms
• A secure intake and temporary hold area (six rooms with transfer corridors)
• Stray-dog housing (8 rooms arranged around the courtyards with adjacent preparation and support spaces
• Dedicated cat, kitten, and puppy spaces that support age-appropriate care and separation of animal populations

The new Jefferson County Animal Care facility seeks to support safe operations, efficient animal carer, and a welcome experience for visitors, staff and community partners.